March 2002 Winner: Michael Blutman

ITG is proud to announce that Michael Blutman of East Meadow, New York, has been awarded the March 2002 ITG Young Artist Award. Blutman has served as lead trumpet of the Nassau-Suffolk Jazz Ensemble as well as- principal trumpet of the Long Island Youth Orchestra. He performed the Hummel Concerto with the LIYO in June 2001. Michael played assistant principal trumpet for the past two summers in the NY State Summer School of Orchestral Studies where he was coached by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition, he has performed with the East Meadow Brass Quintet, which won Grand Prize at the 2001 NY Brass Conference Competition and received special coaching sessions with the American Brass Quintet and Phillip Smith.

Blutman has studied with Leon Petruzzi, Kenneth Sepe, and William Vacchiano. Currently he is a freshman at University of Maryland where he studies with Chris Gekker.

In recognition of his outstanding talents, ITG will provide Blutman with a complimentary one-year membership. Coordinator Del Lyren extends his appreciation to adjudicators Alan Ehnes (Brandon University) and Rich Stoelzel (Interlochen and Grand Valley State University).